HealthyEats

Recipe: No-Bake Mini Gingerbread Cheesecakes

Cheesecake was my favorite kind of cake when I was growing up. In fact, every year on my birthday, my family would get two cakes — a yellow or chocolate cake for the normal birthday partygoers and a mini cheesecake for moi.

But as I got older, my cheesecake affinity was minimized by the realization that cheesecake, laden with cream cheese, sour cream and sugar, was not the healthiest choice.

Well, I’m happy to now say that cheesecake is back. And it’s better than ever. These mini cheesecakes are perfectly portioned and super easy to make, and they don’t require an oven.

And in honor of the holiday season, I made a spiced version reminiscent of festive gingerbread cookies. I used Neufchatel cheese, which contains one-third less fat than cream cheese, and low-fat Greek yogurt for the creamy, better-for-you filling.

Serve these up at the holidays alongside your holiday cookie platter and they’re sure to be a hit.

No-Bake Mini Gingerbread Cheesecakes

Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients:

1 cup walnuts

1 cup Medjool dates, pitted (about 9 or 10 dates)

8 ounces Neufchatel cheese

1 cup low-fat Greek yogurt

1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

1/3 cup molasses

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions:

In a food processor, pulse dates and walnuts until a fine, crumblike consistency is formed. Line a cupcake tray with cupcake liners and divide walnut-date mixture evenly among cupcake liners (about 1 heaping tablespoon each). Press the walnut mixture down into the liners to form a crustlike consistency. Store “crust” in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes to harden.

Kara Lydon, R.D., LDN, RYT, is a registered dietitian nutritionist, yoga teacher and self-proclaimed foodie. She is a recipe developer, food photographer, writer and spokesperson. Her food and healthy living blog, The Foodie Dietitian, features seasonal vegetarian recipes and simple strategies to bring more mindfulness and yoga into your life.

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